EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Seattle linebacker Malcolm Smith returned an interception of Peyton Manning 69 yards for a touchdown and later recovered a fumble, earning Super Bowl MVP honors in the Seahawks’ 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday night.

Smith is only the third linebacker in Super Bowl history to earn the award, joining Ray Lewis of Baltimore in 2001, and Chuck Howley of Dallas in 1971.

It was appropriate that a member of Seattle’s league-leading “D’’ would be the MVP, considering the way the Seahawks shut down Manning and Denver’s record-breaking offense, forcing four turnovers and holding the Broncos scoreless until the last play of the third quarter.

Smith’s pick-6 made it 22-0 late in the first half, and Seattle was on its way.